My maiden bikepacking voyage.

We made the maiden bikepacking voyage last weekend with lofty plan of making a giant loop including Mt Elden, going around San Francisco mountain and all the way down to Walnut Canyon. Trail GPXs and suggestions courtesy of Mr. Ray.

The ride started out in the parking lot of Safeway - just east of Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. My riding buddy (Mr. DB) and I departed Saturday at 1015 and headed for Mt Elden via Pipeline to Rocky Ridge up Schultz until we hit AZT.

The lower section of the ski lodge was closed due to a wedding so we had to climb another 1/4 mile to the upper section where the restaurant was open. We had lunch, refilled the water and pressed on.

We enjoyed a sweet wee ride down AZT trail through most beautiful aspen tree forest, we hit the fire roads and passed the north side unceremoniously. Then came another test of will. The climb up to Lockett Meadow - 1300 ft in 4 miles - while dodging cars and inhaling their dust. By the time we got there, we were done for the day. It was around 7pm - we found a nice place to camp.

The moonlight was insane that Saturday, it was so bright it looked like an UFO just landed 1/4 mile away. It was eerie. Of course that didn't help with my anxiety first night of wild camping ever. Every little rustle and noise kept me awake. Of course that is why I brought the ear plugs and sleeping pills.

In the morning, we realized we had another 1000 ft to climb - so it was a nice warm up. We were then rewarded with a long descent down Waterline Rd. with beautiful vistas of Coconino National Forest. We made it down to the Schultz Tank and took AZT east to I-89. We refilled and ate at the Conoco gas station and proceeded south on AZT towards Walnut Canyon.

By the time we hit I-40 we were out of water. The sun exposure and heat was relentless (although it was only mid 80's). Being out of water in the urban setting is not as scary though.

Mr. DB bought us a watermelon at the Safeway. We stopped later at Five Guys for some fine burgers and great soda options.

Looking for a bike for bikepacking for me and my son. I'd love to take him on some trips. As I get older the chunk and gnar gnar is less and less enticing. Combination of being 43 and a 'been there - done that' kinda feeling.

I think bikepacking might revive my stoke for riding in a very different way, and provide some great times with my son.

Question: 25lbs extra weight. Mind breaking it down a bit? Did you bring a tent, is so what do think that weighs? Type of bag/weight etc...thanks!

Looking for a bike for bikepacking for me and my son. I'd love to take him on some trips. As I get older the chunk and gnar gnar is less and less enticing. Combination of being 43 and a 'been there - done that' kinda feeling.

I think bikepacking might revive my stoke for riding in a very different way, and provide some great times with my son.

Question: 25lbs extra weight. Mind breaking it down a bit? Did you bring a tent, is so what do think that weighs? Type of bag/weight etc...thanks!

Nice work guys...I'm sure you'll find as you tweak your setups, it'll get easier and sleeping out under the stars will be no big deal. Kudo's to you guys for taking on a pretty big loop for the maiden voyage! You both should be all set for the Coco250 in October!

Nice work guys...I'm sure you'll find as you tweak your setups, it'll get easier and sleeping out under the stars will be no big deal. Kudo's to you guys for taking on a pretty big loop for the maiden voyage! You both should be all set for the Coco250 in October!

Thanks for the route suggestion Ray. You were right about the gear, I might have to get over my claustrophobia and learn to sleep in a bivvy. Dragging and setting up the tent is a bit of PIA.
Coco 250 is many levels above my bikepacking skills. That's the hardest race that AES offers.

Nice work. That sounds like a great few days on the bike. I could picture all the trails you were on.... At this rate everyone and their mother is going to be a bikepacker before I even get my seatpack dirty! FML. It's like all the kids get to chew gum except for me! It's torture, but keep it up! Love a good ride report.....